Education and Poverty Essay

Education of poor is a challenge that has kept American political and academic quarters on a precipitous edge. Although the government spends billions of dollars on various social welfare activities especially directed towards eradicating poverty and bridging up the enormous gap that exists poor have always found education a distant realm, where their access is limited and its longevity is in doubt. The issue takes a very drastic form when even the children of American poor are unable to avail available educational opportunities. Among all the developed countries, United States of America reports highest levels of child poverty where one child in every six children lives below poverty line. According to US Bureau of Census (1998), out of total 36 million poor living in USA, 15 million of them were children and among them, around 25 percent children face extreme poverty. Incidences of poverty among children have extremely negative implications for their academic and educational opportunities, seriously devastating their early formative years, that in turns jeopardize rest of their life. An overwhelming volume of research in the field brings out conclusive relationship between social economic status and educational opportunities. The relationship becomes more proportional with lowering economic status where academic underachievement and discrepancies in educational opportunities are very acute. This paper looks into the social, economic and political implications of under-education of poor children in USA and identify the ways that can prove effective in ensuring compulsory education for every American child, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Education as a social problem The issue of education has become a matter of great public and social concern due to the differential nature of the education policy and the school system, creating and an unbalanced and destabilized social structure. Moreover, as academicians, have indicated, the reason for worry is that while school system has been made elaborate, their deliverable content has been not, negating the purpose of the education and creating a society of literate but uneducated people (Kumar, 1997). Educationists and public policy makers, despite their claims and efforts of creating a world class school system and education model to cater to the needs of future America and meets the purpose of extending education’s benefits to every class of the society, have missed the beat by focusing more on academic parameters while ignoring the socio-economical-cultural aspects that play equally important part in determining the final outcome (Pipho, 1999). A failed socio-economical system, with widespread social evils and depleted living conditions, especially in the semi-urban areas and urban slums creates diversified pockets within the social structure that makes the possibility of any qualified education and school system a difficult proposition under the existing set of circumstances. The vicious cycle Education and poverty share a very deep, although inverse relation, each one determining the eventual impact and influence of other. For example, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress (2000) evaluation, educational outcomes is determined by birth weight, nutrition, housing quality, and access to health care. These factors have important bearing on cognitive functioning of child and quality of parenting, that in turn determines educational achievement. Low quality of educational attainment is a major cause of poverty, and poverty is a key determinant of academic performance. Therefore, poverty establishes a vicious cycle where it reinforces its effect in a continuing cycle to make educational underachievement chronic, inflicting heavy costs on social development. Educational standards are further effected by lower public funding for schools serving low-income group than schools serving higher-SES children. Funding equity is yet largely unimplemented , and a number of discrepancies, including differential state and federal policies in fund allotment comes in question to affect equitable distribution of resources. Need for Early Intervention One of the most important determining factors of effective education is children’s academic interest that has substantial impact on academic achievement ((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002)). Children displaying interest, motivation, engagement, goals, values, and self-efficacy demonstrate higher degree of academic success, highlighting the importance of these factors in educational outcome. According to Chapman et al (2000), quoted by Wagner, Spiker and Linn, (2002) shows that the relation between interests and skills starts to develop in the early formative years, and it has crucial role in predicting future achievement and learning capabilities of children. (Chapman et al. 2000). Research has shown that in the early years of development, children from both lower and higher socio economic groups show comparable degrees of confidence level, learning attitude, grasping ability and concentration(Alexander & Entwisle 1988, Stipek & Ryan 1997). However, as they are denied further opportunities to pursue education in an orderly and timely manner, they lose interest in school within the first years and gradually their competence, self confidence and educational inclination dwindles, bringing instability and disorientation in their approach. (Stipek & Tannatt 1984, Wigfield et al. 1997 as quoted by Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002). Skills and interest are reciprocal in nature and their outcome is often influenced by the available exposure and opportunities. Thus children who read more, get to develop better reading habits and children who give more time to mathematics have their numerical skills sharpened. Similarly, children who do not get to read or do not get engaged in mathematical exercises are likely to stay behind others. Children also get discouraged from actively taking up education due to their repeated academic failures, increasing frustration levels, and lack of motivational educational guidance. Failure, distress and teachers’ negative attitude towards children from low socio-economic groups are the key de-motivational factors that severely affect poor children and keeps them at permanent disadvantage against children from higher soci-economic structure((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002)). Lower levels of expectations; parents’ indifference, and ground economic condition are other demotivating factors. These problems take irrevocable form as children get older and form their own peer groups that create substantial barrier in their integration with educational mainstream. ((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002)). Students from lower economic groups form a disadvantaged lot from the very beginning of their life. They have very few books, educational toys and experience with education. Research about poverty and educational facilities have shown that less than half the pre-school children from lower economic groups have access to educational books, while for better off families, almost 98 percent of pre school children have complete set of educational accessories. Children from poor families on average receive only 25 hours of book reading by the time of school entry, while the same figure is 1000 to 1700 hours for middle-class children. Poverty misshapes the entire educational construct and context of children. It substantially alters their emotional and behavioral function, relationships with adults and peers, and family, school, and community; In these key areas of development, low-SES children are placed at risk and disadvantage against their peers from higher income group (Stevenson, 1997) Poverty instigates a range of externalizing problems such as aggression, inattention, impulsivity and rebelliousness- all of these leading to gradual academic underachievement. Children become disruptive and noncompliant and develop behavior problems such as problems in paying attention, relating to others and controlling their emotion. This problem is further compounded by teachers’ reaction to situation, who adopt a stricter code of conduct for children displaying behavioral problems in attempt to bring their focus back on studies. However, more than often, children from lower socio-economic background are knowingly or inadvertently discriminated. It pushes them closer to each other and instigates rule breaking habits, indiscipline, disobedience and finally delinquent behavior-a process that completely sew off their connection with schools and academics ((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002; Stevenson, 1997) Analysis of Academic Influence One of major initiative in bridging up the gap among children from middle and higher income group and children form lower income group is application of technology and science. It is envisaged that computers could play a important role in bringing about a harmonized and equitable educational structure. Although current computer access is very limited for low-income group children, the increasing pace of their expansion in educational framework holds many promises towards its re-design and restructure that could benefit large number of children from lower economic groups (Stevenson, 1997) Researchers have constantly identified need of integrating technology through the earliest phases of education to prepare them to compete with other children when they grown mature. Issues in improving public education to include Poor With huge investment and cash flow, but insignificant results to show for, following are the major issues in improving the American school system to orient them to needs of all the socio-economic group (Barnes, 1997)

The Mall as Prison

Author David Guterson, journalist and novelist, spent a week in The Mall of America on assignment for Harpers Magazine. His essay, â€Å"The Mall as Prison†, tells his views on the Mall as a psychological effect on today’s society. He uses witty and sarcastic comments to get his point across. Is American culture being corrupted by what Americans consider a retail structure that is vital to the survival of our needs? He gives different aspects of why our view of a market place is distraction. Guterson makes judgments in this essay about the Mall and the American culture. Honestly I think that he needs to get with the times and accept this new evolution of shopping. Guterson starts with statistics and facts on the Mall as a retail complex. Opened in the summer of 1992, the mall was conveniently located close to the Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport. How ironically placed. He starts to question the Mall and it’s creators. Was this Mall a tourist attraction? Or a zone of entertainment that is easily accessible to all types of people? Being a male, I feel that Guterson does not fully appreciate the resources found in this mall. Therefore, this is why he reacting negatively to the Mall. This Mall was designed to not only be a mall, but to also be a tourist attraction that would draw a diversity of different people. Guterson talks about the look and atmosphere affecting the human psychology in the mind to think the situation was suitable. You should go into the mall with the intentions of shopping not with the intent of losing yourself in the mall’s design and structure. Guterson argues that communal areas should be built more for the intention of â€Å"eternal desire for discourse and intimacy†. Our society has lost our goals for what the marketplace should be. These goals cannot be accomplished in giant shopping malls, according to Guterson. Guterson’s only example of the types of people who enjoy shopping at the Mall, is a conversation that I feel is quite cliche and biased. He uses a conversation between two young women named Kathleen and Laura. The conversation is short but says a lot about the types of people who shop at the Mall. They explain that shopping to them is a â€Å"sickness† or a â€Å"drug†. Laura says: â€Å" Seriously, I feel sorry for other malls. They’re so small and boring. What does this idea say about today’s youth views on malls and their expectations? Do all malls have to be like The Mall of America? The fact that the Mall is so big, it gives it a special characteristic that no other mall can achieve. Not every trip to the mall has to be above and beyond. According to records, â€Å"Rural Americans traditionally looked forward to the excitement and sensuality of market day. † (Guterson 289) In the past, there were boundaries for market places. Today, anything entertaining is good enough. The Mall, according to Guterson, is not even a market place at all. He considers it a tourist attraction. The Mall is supposed to be greater than any other mall or tourist attraction. It is supposed to be both. The idea that The Mall of America is a cultural image is not even the word Guterson would use to explain this marvel. The mall has everything you would ever imagine in a theme park, mall, or institution. Anything from marriages to shootings happen in the Mall. Extreme malls aren’t stopping in just the United States. Japan is planning on building a $400 million dollar mall complete with an ice rink, a water park, a fantasy-theme hotel, three breweries, waterfalls, and a sports center. The concept of shopping will never cease. Every megamall will try and out-do the last. Malls of the world will continue to grow bigger and bigger. Who knew that a place with no windows or clocks would be so claustrophobic yet popular? Who knew that a place selling everything imaginable would be the one of many centers of the United States’ economy? Who knew that this fantasy of a megamall would stimulate something so powerful as to inspire psychological dependence to spending money? No one would have seen it coming. But now that its here, do we take it for granted? Do we abuse our rights as humans with free will? Guterson argues these points but does not make his conclusions clear. Ending in a sarcastic remark about the Mall’s theme park, â€Å"Camp Snoopy†, I feel he does not conclude his thoughts to his essay. As for the future of megamalls? They will never stop impressing the public eye. But Guterson believes that we need to stay on track with our priorities. Guterson explains, â€Å"I already knew that the Mall of America had been imagined by its creator not merely as a marketplace but as a national tourist attraction, an immense zone of entertainment. (Guterson 288) He sees the Mall as a distracting aspect of our society. Guterson makes judgment in this essay about the Mall of America and more broadly about American culture. He also talks about the building of The Mall of America as a tourist attraction and how the mall is degrading the art of architecture because it’s a waste of a building. Guterson has good credentials that make his opinion reliable, but I feel that he needs to look at the positive aspects that the Mall has for the economy and the United States wealth systems. His opinion is respected, but he needs to appreciate what megamalls have offered the world.

Protection lighting of aircraft Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 12500 words

Protection lighting of aircraft - Thesis Example Despite these major advancements in knowledge, a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) study for the 5 year period from 2007 to 2011, says that on average 22,600 fires are caused in the US by lightning each year. In addition to property damage of $ 451 million, these fires cause on average 9 deaths, 53 serious injuries (Ahrens). Lightning protection measures do not prevent lightning strikes but help reduce damage caused by them. Dr. Richard Kithil, the President of the National Lightning Safety Institute is quoted on their website as saying, â€Å"Lightning is a capricious, random and unpredictable event. Its physical effects include current levels sometimes in excess of 400 kA, temperatures up to 50,000 degrees F and speeds approaching one-third the speed of light. Globally some 2000 on-going thunderstorms cause about 100 lightning strikes to earth each second. Lightning prevention or protection in an absolute sense is impossible. A diminution of its consequences together with incremental safety improvements is all that is possible† (Kithil). Most parts of the US experience 20 to 80 thunderstorm days in a year. Parts of South America and Africa have 100 to 200 thunderstorm days in a year. On a typical thunderstorm day, there could be as many as 10,000 lightning strikes to ground (NLSI Report). The Office of Emergency Management for New York City reports that the Empire State Building is struck by lightning on average 25 times a year and in one particular thunderstorm, it was hit 8 times in 24 minutes (OEM- NYC). The fact that the iconic building remains undamaged by these lightning strikes shows that well designed and applied lightning protection measures serve to minimize the risk of damage due to lightning strikes. 1.3) Airplanes fly in close proximity to thunderclouds and should be vulnerable to lightning strikes. Some 19,500 commercial aircraft are estimated to be

Corporate reporting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Corporate reporting - Essay Example It is also about the organization and the recognition of what the economy is now, and what the economy ought to be in the near future. Corporate governance explains the types of processes and the ways in which companies and businesses are controlled and directed. They also indicate the level in which the managerial status of company is and include the information containing the board and its composition, the development that it brings and the level of accountability that it holds. Lastly, it focuses on the type of relationship that the management has with its shareholder, seeing that they are actually the owners of the company. Narrative reporting talks about the non-financial kind of work and it relates to financial information. Such information is presented alongside financial information and this enables for there to be an expanded understanding of a company’s main information (Robins, 34, 2010).   Response to the questions posed by the Finance Minister; 1. In Breakavia, the best placed to help in support of the initial development of the regulation for corporate reporting are the upcoming companies and industries, such as those in the industrial sector and also those in the tourism industry. Corporate reporting brings about the much needed transparency that will bring development in the country. There are certain international practices that can be used as examples in this country. Some include those of the companies that are based in the U.K and the U.S. From these countries, there have been major developments and due to their corporate reporting techniques have been named the best suited companies to rise in ranks. Significant information relating to companies include the market position that it holds, the supplies and the suppliers that it deals with, the general private and public performance both in and out of office and also the company’s future prospects. The next type of reporting, corporate responsibility shows basic information tha t pertains to the way that companies behold its image with its clients, their dealers, the society and the area or environment around them. Such information helps them attract and retain more clients and shareholders while still managing to increase the level of trust that the shareholders have put in the company (Stittle, 56, 2003).   Financial information about companies like in the United States brings transparency and enables a company to be able to maintain its major and final outlook. Financial regulation by the government is a form of regulation that allows financial companies and institutions to be subject to checks and guidelines. They also subject to certain restrictions, which are aimed at bringing about foreclosure of financial system and thus, bring about the rise of integrity of a financial institution. The financial regulation procedures can either be handled by the government of the state, capital markets and also other third parties. As for the regulation by the g overnment, there are laws that govern such activity; for example is, The Companies Act containing company law. There are also other legislations and edicts that are involved in the financial regulation of a business by the state. Regulation by capital markets is whereby there is the establishment of stock exchange to stipulate measurement and also

My relationship with airplane Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My relationship with airplane - Essay Example Therefore, such experiences ignited a passion in me to pursue a career in aviation and become a pilot. The great admiration i had as a child of being a pilot started building up my relationship with airplanes. Moreover, I used to design paper airplanes and read more about airplane most of my free time. I remember most times we could board a plane I was either having a book to read about planes or a drawing the plane I was in. This was one of the ways I used to understand and describe the plane. Sometimes, I would take a paper and make a plane out of the paper. Moreover, I would imagine I was the pilots of the pilot. Therefore, from books I had read, I had little understanding on the functionality and directives a pilot to the plane. I would fly the paper plane around and that increased my liking and understanding of planes. Some of the Saturdays, my parents used to take me to the airport and pay a fee me for me to seat at co-pilot seat in the small planes and watch the plane flown fo r few kilometres. Hence, sometimes I would sit at the pilot seat and learn the work of the pilot. Although, such moments made me excited as a child, I learnt that the moments were the source of my deeper likings for planes and pilot as a career. Consequently, I vividly remember the fateful day on April 2000 when my family board a plane to the United States, state of California for a holiday vacation. California was one of the cities in United States I desired to visit hence marked the most amazing period of my life. Firstly, the waiting room at the airport was one of the amazing places where you get to be smartly ushered in and out in an honourable manner. Before boarding the plane, I gluey stared at the plane at the airport as they land and some took off to the air. I remember at that moment, I had so many questions on the functionality of the plane. Therefore, I kept on pestering my parents to explain to me how the plane could remain floating in the air yet carry a lot of people a nd luggage. In most occasions, I would excitedly ask the waiter if he could allow me to go and help the pilot at the pilot cabin but the waiter could not accept. However, today I understand that the pilot cabin is an out of bounce zone for passenger and this rule ensures concentration of pilot to focus on the plane movement. My liking for planes propelled me to read articles and watch documentaries on airplane. I found out that there were several plane-manufacturing companies in the world. Moreover, I discovered the existing differences in most of the planes we boarded for vacations. For instance, I learnt that airplanes for personal use and trainings have a high or low wing depending on the place of attachment of the wing to the body. Biplane, retractable, floatplanes, seaplanes, twin engine and turboprop are some of the example of airplanes. Anderson and  Eberhardt explain that airplanes are in various sizes, shapes, and wings propelled forward by thrust and jet engines (80-150) . Therefore, the make-up of the airplane keeps the plane floating in the air. Wright brothers’ first airplane invented was heavier than air and this was the start of the invention of airplanes. The planes today come in various types but all of them base their functionality on aerodynamics principles. The determination of Wright brothers that man could also fly in the air has become part of my encouragement hence

Love,Marriage and Family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Love,Marriage and Family - Essay Example Marriage remains condemned an unsuccessful social institution in the eyes of many Americans. Ever more, many Americans are marrying later in life, while another set chooses not to marry at all. Meanwhile, the rate of divorce floats almost at 50 percent for all fresh marriages. Out-of wedlock children are on a steady rise, more so particularly to the well-educated. Moreover, the long belief that the private, marital-based family entity can contentedly acknowledge major liability for the concern of children and other family appears more and more unsustainable.Meanwhile, marriage is not a rational foundation for social guidelines; however, it appears an expedient universal remedy to politicians and analysts debating the rate of divorce, the startling figures on children poverty. Some sociologists, like B. Graham, think that marriage control on love in America is not wrong. I agree with this assertion, since marriage is a very important institution, and everything needs to be done to res cue it. Even so, marriage as a social institute is failing; callous and castigatory actions formulated to make the status more firm and rigid are bizarre (Graham 2007). Policymakers are unwilling to see that a social trend, such as soaring divorce rate, is simply on module in panoply of pointers recording the pervasive and irreversible nature of the transformations that have taken place in all quarters of our communal lives. The Americans stand in the middle of important social change and it’s important that we recognize there is no unsophisticated past, no enduring utopian visualization to which the edict can return us. The American social goal should be to design doctrines that mirror the ways in which they are living their lives. Meanwhile, the Americans should subsidize and cater for the emerging family sets, such as single-mother families that are carrying out the all-important task of supporting children and other family members (Whitehead & Popenoe, 2007). Reinforcing marriage in America is going to take a key fundamental change in cultural values and social policy. No particular segment of society is accountable for the fall of marriage. Americans are all part and parcel of the problem, and consequently, they must discover the resolution. Americans must repossess the ultimate of marital durability and realize that out-of-wedlock childbearing does not really hurt. The American objective for the next age band should be to augment the percentage of kids who grow up with their two marital parents and diminish the percentage of those who do not. Feasible planning for recapturing a marriage tradition is dealt with and each key segment of society has to be informed (Schwartz & Scott, 2007). The corrosion of child welfare over the precedent decades is an American domestic catastrophe. Furthermore, when one ceases obsessing over it, the trend in numerous ways should be rather startling. Nobody could have even envisaged it thirty years ago. Currently, Ame ricans are more affluent than ever before. Ever since 1960, the Gross Domestic Product has tripled a tenth fold prompting the average earnings of Americans to double. This success has openly benefited children. Americans are considering having fewer children and they are giving birth later in life, when the remunerations are higher. Furthermore, scores of additional mothers have gone into the labor force. It has become far worse-even much worse; this is simply a coincidence that child welfare deteriorated steadily during a period of time in which American marriage also declined. Current surveys have gathered information that children from broken homes, when they become young adults, have 3 to 4 times more behavioral and psychological challenges (Whitehead & Popenoe, 2007). A while ago, Americans were most likely the most marrying people in the world. The impact of that era can still be viewed in the older age bracket. In the fall of 1990s, 96 percent of women and 95 percent of men a ge 45 aged between 45 to 54 year

Experience of vendor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Experience of vendor - Essay Example Being a vendor even with a simple product such as selling lemonade to our community made me appreciate the basic principles of business. One important principle is that my sales must be higher than my expenses. Although most of my supplies came from our kitchen, I still have to think about profit and that my sales should be more than the things that I bought from the grocery such as cups, containers etch. The experience also taught me valuable lesson that it is tough to make money. Customers are fickle and ask a lot of questions even with just a simple lemonade and they could be demanding. As a vendor and seller, I cannot of course complain because customers are always right (I learn that somewhere). We teenagers often do not realize how hard it is to earn money because we just ask it for our parents who in turn has to earn them to provide for the family and that includes us who as a lot of things from then even if many of it are not important. Vending which involves an effort to make money made me realize that money does not grow on trees and it has to be earned sometimes, the hard way. My experience as a vendor selling lemonade and sandwiches to our community may be tough but it has its rewards as well. After the vacation where I did the selling, I saved all my sales and was surprised and happy to have earned that much. I made few hundred dollars and at that time, it was the biggest amount of money that I ever got hold of and it felt good. It felt very good to have that money not because I felt rich but because I earned them by myself. I can still remember when I had that money the things that I can with it. But since I cannot decide, I asked my parents who in turn took the significant portion of it to open a savings account for me and only gave me enough to spend. The reaction of my parents on how to handle my earnings from vending also taught me a valuable lesson to be financially wise. Being financially wise meant not spending all the

Internet business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Internet business - Essay Example This instant connectivity has not been lost on business. As quickly as consumers are buying personal computers and accessing the Internet through modems or cable boxes, businesses are building and implementing web sites on the Internet, sensing the great potential in sales, advertising, and customer service. For some businesses, using the Internet is not just an extension ÃŽ ¿f their normal business, it is a matter ÃŽ ¿f survival. Without a web site, many businesses would not able to compete within their marketplace. However, in the frenzy to secure a "presence" on the Net, many businesses have not properly evaluated the risks they face when expanding activities to the Internet. Some businesses simply have not considered whether this new sales and advertising "tool" creates new exposures for them. Others have regarded their activity on the Internet to be merely an extension ÃŽ ¿f their normal functions, creating no new risks for them. Unfortunately, this mindset could lead to major uncovered losses for businesses. Somewhat in the same manner, insurance professionals have not thoroughly examined the exposures created by doing business on the Internet. There has been little review ÃŽ ¿f existing policies to determine if they provide adequate coverage for Internet sales or advertising, and not much has been done to identify any "new" or "unique" risks that have originated with e-commerce. This truly is the information age, and one ÃŽ ¿f the easiest sources ÃŽ ¿f information to access is the Internet. Everyone seems to be headed for the Internet in one way or another. It has become a primary vehicle for communication, replacing the telephone, regular mail service, as the way to communicate effectively in business and personal life. Business has flocked to the Internet for several reasons. Some 'f these are the same reasons that have driven the general public to the Internet--ease 'f communication and the ability to get information and conduct research quickly and efficiently from the comfort 'f one's office or home. But business also recognizes the huge potential the Internet provides for advertising, sales, and cost reduction--driving more dollars to the bottom line. The objective 'f this article is to evaluate the risks businesses face by using the Internet in sales, advertising, and other online activities. These risks will then be analyzed in view 'f several standard commercial insurance policies: ISO's Building and Personal Property Coverage Form (CP 00 10 06 95(*)), the Business Income (and Extra Expense) Coverage Form (CP 00 30 06 95*), and the Commercial General Liability Policy (CG 00 01 01 96(*)). The analysis will review the perceived exposures 'f a business with a web site to determine whether these standard coverage forms protect the business from anticipated losses. The analysis will identify exposures that do not appear to be covered under these forms. In particular, the analysis will attempt to identify risks unique to the Internet. This article will

Compare the structure and activities of a public sector or not for Assignment

Compare the structure and activities of a public sector or not for profit organisation with a similar organisation in the privat - Assignment Example INTRODUCTION Private sector and public sector organizations differ in the way they are managed and operated. The way they are structured helps to facilitate goal achievement. This report compares the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) with Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac). Reserve Bank of Australia RBA is Australia’s central bank. The objectives of the Bank are set out in its policies – ensuring that the monetary and banking policies are advantageous to the people of Australia (Reserve Bank of Australia 3). In so doing the policies of the bank are designed to ensure stability of Australia’s currency, facilitate full employment; and contribute to economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people. RBA has a Governor and Deputy Governor as well as a number of boards, committees, groups and departments. They all have their relevant functions which facilitate the proper management of the Bank. The structure of the organization is shown in the organization cha rt in Appendix 1. The Boards include the Reserve Bank Board and the Payments System Board. The Reserve Bank Board has responsibility for monetary and banking related polices while the Payments Systems Board is responsible for polices relating to the payments system. The Governor is the Chairman for both Boards with the Deputy Governor as Deputy Chairman for the Reserve Bank Board. The committees of RBA include the Executive Committee; the Audit Committee; the Remuneration Committee; and the Risk Management Committee. The forum for discussions among heads of functional departments and the Governor and Deputy Governor is provided by the executive committee. The audit committee is chaired by a non-executive board and this should help facilitate the level of independence that is required of members of this committee. The Remuneration Committee is also a committee of the Reserve Bank Board and is drawn from the non-executive members of that Board. The Risk Management Committee is chaired by the Deputy Governor and its responsibility is that of identifying and managing those risks that are not policy related, across the bank. The Groups consists of the Banking and Payments Group; the Corporate Services; the Currency; the Economic; the Financial Markets; and the Financial System Groups. All of these groups have one or more departments that fall under their remit. They provide a range of services for institution. The Banking and Payments Group consists of two departments – the Banking Department and the Payments Settlements Department. The function of the Banking Department includes the provision of a special range of banking and registry services to the departments of the Australian Government, overseas central banks and official institutions. The Payments and Settlements Department on the other hand has the responsibility of settling high valued payments and inter-bank obligations which result ‘from the conduct of Exchange Settlement Accounts andâ€℠¢ the RBA’s own trading activities. Other responsibilities of the Bank and Settlement Department include the operations of the Reserve Bank Information and Transfer System (RITS) which is Australia’s real time gross settlement (RTGS) system. RBA’s Corporate Services Group consists of the Facilities Management Department; the Financial Administration Department; and the Systems and Technology Department (Reserve Bank of

English Composition Essay Example for Free

English Composition Essay In the aspect of writing English composition, several rules and guidelines must be followed for the aspect of clarity, clearness, and understandability. This grammar rules are established to follow a clear and concise presentation of the ideas and concepts being communicated in each composition. Included in these guidelines and rules is the use of examples and how they are used to promote the main argument in each composition. In the use of examples in the English composition, several approaches are established to guide the use of this strategy for the clearness in the composition. First, is using example in a word or phrase employing short approaches towards the presentation. The second is through sentence-length examples, which are more specific as they employ the idea along with the specific example explaining the said concept. Third is through the use of extended examples, which are commonly to be an entire paragraph for more detailed explanation and presentation. For better composition, most writer use different styles and conjoined different approaches in a single essay for more detailed explanation of the main topic. For example, in the composition of John Head entitled â€Å"The Brutal Business of Boxing†, the author was able to clearly and specifically presents his topic and ideas through the use of both single word or phrase example and sentence-length examples. In most paragraphs, the author mentioned specific words to support his topic and in the others, he used the sentence-length examples, which includes the idea and the specific argument explaining the concept. Through this approach, the author has able to present clearly his main argument and reasons about his opinions towards the brutal nature of boxing explaining why the said act should be condone not as a sport but as an uncivilized fight in the society.

Health Inequalities And Socioeconomic Status Health And Social Care Essay

Health Inequalities And Socioeconomic Status Health And Social Care Essay For years there has been significant evidence linking socio-economic status and health. Statistics show a graded relationship, meaning the higher your social position the greater your level of health (figure 3). This shocking data not only shows the most deprived dying 7 years earlier than the least; they will also have a disability for a longer period of their shorter lives, which is likely to take affect before the ever increasing pension age, 17 years before that of the most affluent (Marmot 2010). Figure 3: Life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy at birth, persons by neighbourhood income level (ONS 2009). Recession does not uniformly impact the health of the nation, affecting different social-classes in different ways and by variable amounts, further accentuating health inequalities (Marmot and Bell 2009).This essay will examine how the behavioural, psycho-social, materialist and life-course aetiological pathways are involved in the health effects of the economic downturn on different socio-economic groups. Unemployment will be discussed in detail being the major variable during an economic downturn, having both direct and secondary causes, and a significant influence on health. Later, other indirect influences such as job insecurity and public sector cuts will also be discussed. Unemployment has a serious affect on health showing a much higher mortality rate for unemployed men (Figure 4). However some of this difference may be attributed to the theory of selection that ill people are more likely to become or remain unemployed, rather than exposure where unemployment causes health deterioration (Burgard et al. 2007). Although some less healthy individuals may lose their jobs before others, the sheer scale of unemployment during economic downturn will make exposure dominant. Contrasting to others Martikainen et al. (2007) argue that the mortality and therefore health during unemployment is often better during a recession due to better support in the form of unemployed peers. However in terms of the nation as a whole increased unemployment deteriorates health, and when considering the individual, although support from peers is important the financial strain combined with other factors such as increased cost of living and public sector cuts, discussed later, wil l exceed this positive effect. Figure 4: Mortality of men in England and Wales in 1981-92, by social-class and employment status at the 1981 Census (Bethune 1997). Unemployments major impact is on an individuals mental health; Price et al. (1998) associated unemployment with decreased self-esteem and perceived competence, increased depression and anxiety along with an increased risk of suicide attempt, alcohol abuse and violence. However other research has indicated that the lack of income outweighs the stress related consumption of cigarettes and alcohol (Ruhm 2005) or that health damaging behaviours are influenced by feelings of control and expectation of future employment (Catalano 1997). Several studies link these psychological affects such as job stress increasing risk factors such as hypertension and serum cholesterol (Weber et al. 1997). In conjunction with this it seems the most common impacts of unemployment on physical health are on the cardiovascular system with Gallo et al. (2006) estimating a doubling of the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction with involuntary job loss. The financial sector initiated the current recession so was the first to directly feel its effects, for example Northern Rock being taken into state ownership and forced to make 800 compulsory redundancies (Treanor 2008). The secondary impact of the recession involved decreased lending from the financial sector, forcing companies to close altogether or relocate abroad for a cheaper workforce, meaning mass unemployment and unlikely reemployment (Clancy and Jenkins 2009). Next as the government feels the squeeze public sector cuts are causing further unemployment. Generally speaking the lower-classes are the most likely to become unemployed, occurring mainly via secondary impacts since they are the first to be made redundant during public sector cuts and they dominate industries such as retail and manufacturing which are the most suitable for relocation abroad (Clancy and Jenkins 2009). This unemployment causes a loss of income resulting in severe financial strain; with debt continuing to accumulate as they struggle to find a job and suffer with the social stigma associated with unemployment, individuals feel out of control with increasing levels of stress, depression deteriorating their health (Price et al. 2002). As money becomes increasingly tight basic needs such as nutrition and access to healthcare impact their physical health, this lack of finances means decreased opportunity for social activities and coping strategies further worsening their mental health (Price et al. 1998). Some people may lose hope all together and turn to health de structive behaviour such as smoking, alcohol and perhaps even suicide as described earlier. However in areas of high unemployment, the presence of many individuals in the same situation may protect individuals from such psychosocial impacts (Brenner and Mooney 1983). The more affluent are also at risk of unemployment, many directly from the recession as higher socio-economic groups dominate the financial sector, however like the lower-classes the decreased lending and public sector cuts cause widespread unemployment but on a much smaller scale. The contrast with that of the lower-classes is that their higher salary over the years often enables them to have sufficient savings that can act as a buffer, whilst they wait for the economy to recover and apply for new jobs, which they are more likely to get due to their higher qualifications (Elliott et al. 2010). These wealthier individuals suffer more in terms of psychological health; many experience a loss of identity, as their job defines them and without it they feel lost and unaware of their place in society (Price et al. 1998). Their physical health may not be affected with finances available to provide food and other essentials, however it is these same finances that have the capacity to fund sm oking, alcohol and even drug abuse. Unemployment indirectly impacts on the health of their entire family. The  Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys revealed wives of unemployed men experienced 20% excess deaths to those with employed husbands (Moser and Goldblatt 1990). There are also strong links between unemployment and domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy, divorce and impaired infant growth (Mathers and Schofield 1998). Social support from family and friends is crucial to combat unemployments negative psychological effects, but unemployment itself disrupts social support and friendship networks, often resulting in conflict (Price et al. 1998). The financial strain of recession puts significant pressures on parenting and ultimately deteriorates the health and development of their children which will affect them throughout their life-course (Solantus et al. 2004). This is accentuated by the government increasing the cost of university, denying those with potential in lower social-classes, the opportunity of u pward mobility. These family impacts are more prominent in lower socio-economic groups, with greater financial burden meaning lower control and more pressure on relationships. Some of the more indirect impacts of recession on health are not directly linked with unemployment, although some such as job insecurity and unsuitable reemployment may be associated with it. Job insecurity is a feature of modern Britain with our shift from manufacturing to service sector employment still struggling against strong international competition. The economic downturn increasing unemployment worsens the UKs already high job insecurity, with more people worried about their own or their companys longevity. The mechanism by which job insecurity impacts health is similar to that of unemployment; many view job loss anticipation as the first step of unemployment. With Petterson et al.(2005) observing insecure workers exhibiting declining concentration and increased irritation and long term sick leave its no wonder they may soon become unemployed. Dekker and Shaufeli (1995) even argue that it may be more difficult to cope with job uncertainty due to not knowing what to expect. These impacts relate to feelings of low control over their future, but this differs for the individual, the level of insecurity and the prospect of reemployment. Redundancies within an organisat ion can affect the health of all the employees, with those remaining exhibiting a lack in trust of those in power, competition with other workers at risk and resentment for those already redundant (Campbell and Pepper 2006). Unsatisfactory reemployment is an indirect impact due to decreased job opportunities, affecting those who have recently become unemployed and those looking for first time employment. The depression caused by unemployment itself severely reduces the chances of reemployment and the longer they spend unemployed they become deskilled making it even more difficult to escape the spiral of disadvantage (Price et al. 2002). Most would think its beneficial to gain employment and income, but the pressures of financial strain make lower socio-economic groups more likely to accept unsustainable employment, that is temporary, high-demand and low-pay. Whilst it may help financially in the short-term it wont have any long-term improvements and due to the type of work being unrewarding, monotonous and insecure means it has negative health implications such as depression, hence it may be just as bad as unemployment (Grzywacz Dooley 2003). Along with unemployment and pay cuts, a higher cost of living involving increasing VAT and escalating food and petrol prices all create financial strain, especially in the lower-classes, which itself causes negative health effects as discussed with unemployment. However this decreased disposable income reduces public spending, causing the local economy to fail (Brenner and Mooney 1983). Although large areas such as cities contain people of all socio-economic status, they are segregated into smaller communities of a particular social-class. Lower-class communities have the least public spending so are the worst affected; places like the high street which are important hubs for social integration soon become dilapidated, increasing levels of depression, crime and social exclusion, severely impacting the health of the community (Yuill 2009). Increased poverty and ill health puts tremendous pressure on public services such as social welfare, primary health care and the police. Public sector cuts in these areas further worsen the health impacts by reducing their ability to cope and reducing availability of such services to an ever increasing number of people who require them. In conclusion, the economic downturn has several impacts on the health of the UK, both directly and indirectly. These impacts do affect everyone so no groups should be ignored, but its clear that socio-economic status influences the mechanisms and severity by which it impacts peoples health. The majority of research indicates that lower-classes are the worst affected; they are most likely to become unemployed, experience job insecurity and undertake unsuitable employment (Clancy and Jenkins 2009). They also experience greater financial strain from pay cuts and increased cost of living, all of which result in more serious health connotations. Higher socio-economic groups dont experience such a financial loss and are considered to have more control over their futures due to assets such as savings and good qualifications, but they do experience negative mental health impacts, such as loss of identity, different to that of lower-classes (Price et al. 1998). Indirect impacts of the recess ion such as reduced public spending and public sector cuts reduce service availability, particularly in deprived areas where they are needed the most. It is important to understand that its not just about individuals, the recession indirectly affects family and friends and that lower-class families raising a child in times of struggle will severely affect that childs health throughout their life-course (Marmot and Bell 2009). Reference list Bartley, M. 2004. Health inequality an introduction to theories, concepts and methods. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 22-32. Brenner, M. and Mooney, A. 1983. Unemployment and health in the context of economic change. Social Science Medicine 17, pp. 1125à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 1138. Burgard, S. Brand, J. and House, J. 2007. Toward a better estimation of the effect of job loss on health. J Health Soc Behav 48, pp. 369-384. Campbell, R. and Pepper, L. 2006. Downsizing and social cohesion: the case of downsizing survivors. New Solutions 16(4), pp. 373à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 393. Catalano, R. 1997. An Emerging Theory of the Effect of Economic Contraction on Alcohol Abuse in the United States. Social Justice Research 10(2), pp. 191à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 201. Clancy, G. and Jenkins, J. 2009. The impact of the recession on the Labour Market. ONS presentation at Cardiff University (14.07.2009). Dekker, S. and Schaufeli, W. 1995. The effects of job insecurity on psychological health and withdrawal: A longitudinal study. Australian Psychologist 30(1), pp. 57à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 63. Denny, E. and Earle, S. 2005. Sociology for nurses. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 140-148. Elliott, E. Harrop, E. Rothwell, H. Shepherd, M. and Williams, G. 2010. Working paper 134: The impact of the economic downturn on health in Wales: A review and case study. Cardiff school of social sciences (November 2010), pp. 29-59. Gallo, W. Teng, H. Falba, T. Kasl, S. Krumholz, H. and Bradley, E. 2006. The impact of late career job loss on myocardial infarction and stroke: A 10 year follow up using the health and retirement survey. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 63(10), pp. 683à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 687. Graham, H. 2007. Unequal lives: Health and socio-economic inequalities. Buckingham: Open University Press. Grzywacz, J. and Dooley, D. 2003. Good jobs to bad jobs: Replicated evidence of an employment continuum from two large surveys. Social Science and Medicine 56, pp. 1749-1760. Marmot, M. (Chairman). 2010. Fair society healthy lives strategic review of health inequalities in England post 2010. London: The Marmot Review, pp.44-77. Marmot, M. and Bell, R. 2009. How will the financial crisis affect health? BMJ 338(b) 1314. Martikainen, P. Mà ¤ki, N. and Jà ¤ntti, M. 2007. The effects of unemployment on mortality following workplace downsizing and workplace closure: a registerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ based followà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ up study of Finnish men and women during economic boom and recession. American Journal of Epidemiology 165(9), pp. 1070à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 1075. Mathers, C. and Schofield, D. 1998. The health consequences of unemployment: the evidence. Medical Journal of Australia 168, pp. 178à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 182. Moser, K. Goldblatt, P. Fox, J. and Jones, D. 1990. Unemployment and mortality. Longitudinal study: Mortality and Social Organisation. London: OPCS. ONS. 2009. Health expectancy at birth. Office for National Statistics [online]. Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=12964 [Accessed 9th March 2011]. ONS. 2010. SOC2010 volume 3 NC- SEC user manual [online]. Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/classifications/current/soc2010/soc2010-volume-3-ns-secrebased-on-soc2010user-manual/index.html [Accessed 27th February 2011]. Parliament. 2005. Select Committee on Science and Technology  First Report [online]. Available at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldsctech/20/2004.htm [Accessed 27th February 2011]. Petterson, I. Hertting, A. Hagberg, L. and Theorell, T. 2005. Are trends in work and health conditions interrelated? A study of Swedish hospital employees in the 1990s. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 10(2), pp. 110à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 120. Price, R. Choi, J. and Vinokur, A. 2002. Links in the chain of adversity following job loss: How financial strain and loss of personal control lead to depression, impaired functioning, and poor health. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 7(4), pp. 302-312. Price, R. Friedland, D. and Vinokur, A. 1998. Job loss: Hard times and eroded identity in J.H. Harvey (Ed.) Perspectives on loss: A sourcebook. Philadelphia: Taylor Francis, pp. 303à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 316. Ruhm, C. 2005. Healthy living in hard times. Journal of Health Economics 24(2), pp. 341à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 63. Solantaus, T. Leinonen, J. and Punamà ¤ki, R. 2004. Childrens Mental Health in Times of Economic Recession: Replication and Extensions of the Family Economic Stress Model in Finland. Developmental Psychology 40, pp. 412à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 429. Strully, K. 2006. Job loss and health in the US labour market. Demography 46, pp. 221à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 226. Treanor, J. 2008.  Northern Rock to make 800 compulsory redundancies.  The Guardian [online] 31.07.2008. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jul/31/northernrock.creditcrunch [Accessed: 06.03.11]. Weber, A. and Lehnert, G. 1997. Unemployment and cardiovascular diseases: a causal relationship? International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health 70(3), pp. 153à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 160. Yuill, C. 2009. The Credit Crunch and the High Street: Coming Like a Ghost Town. Social Research Online [online] 14(2). Available at: http://www.socresonline.org.uk/14/2/12.html [Accessed: 8th March 2011].

Francisco Franco Essay -- essays research papers

Francisco Franco was a general and authoritarian leader, who governed Spain from 1939 to 1975. He came to power shortly after the start of the Spanish Civil War. In that war, he led the rebel Nationalist Army to victory over the Loyalist forces. After the war ended in 1939, Franco held complete control of Spain. His regime was similar to a Fascist dictatorship. He carried out the functions of chief of state, prime minister, commander in chief, and leader of the Falange, the only permitted political party. He adopted the title of El Caudillo, the leader. In the early years of his regime, he tried to eliminate all opposition. He later eased some restrictions. Francisco Franco Bahamonde was born on December 4, 1892, in El Ferrol de Caudillo, Spain. His father was a naval officer. He schooled at the Infantry Academy of Toledo. After graduating from the infantry academy in 1910, he rose rapidly in the army, earning the reputation for efficiency, honesty, and complete professional dedication. He was named commander of the Spanish foreign legion in 1923. Franco became a national hero for his role in suppressing revolts in Morocco, and at the age of 33 he was made brigadier general. Having quelled a leftists revolt in Austria in 1934, he became army chief of staff in 1935. In February of 1936 the leftist government of the Spanish republic exiled Franco to an obscure command in the Canary Islands. The following July he joined other right-wing officers in a revolt against th...

Global Cultures Essay -- essays research papers

Begler, Elsie. â€Å"Global Cultures: The First Steps Toward Understanding† Social Education. September 1998, 62(5) pg. 272-275.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Begler’s Article a discussion on how educators should go about teaching culture occurs. The article starts out by giving a definition of what is meant by culture and the different aspects of culture. The Author sets up the guidelines for which she will interpret and use culture. The definitions of culture are presented very clearly so as the reader can fully understand where the author is coming from in the rest of the article.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The author spends significant time discussing the World Culture Model, which could be a very useful tool to a teacher that is developing a unit on culture or just incorporating aspects of culture into the classroom. The model that is presented can be particularly useful when comparing cultures because one of the hardest aspects of comparing different cultures is the fact that there are no common grounds to judge the different cultures. The model breaks down culture into easy to look at portions, which makes it easier for both student and teacher to study.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The end of the article is dedicated to giving a lesson plan and examples of how to use the model and implement culture into the classroom. The example given is very well displayed and gives some great ideas that teachers can use in everyday lessons or as ideas for their own lessons. ...

Personal Skills Inventory Essay

The most important skill in life is learning how to communicate effectively. Working in the business industry communication is important factor in the success of the business and daily tasks such as giving employees’ feedback, writing reports, giving presentations, conducting interviews and sending emails. How we communicate varies among each individual as well as how we perceive our own personal communication skills. While we may think that we are communicating effectively others around us my find that we communicate poorly. Based on my experiences on an off the job, my communicative skills have always been mediocre at best. In order to validate this, I will participate in an online test courtesy of mindtools.com. My decision to choose this communication quiz was based on the depth of details it provided me upon completion of the quiz. The quiz had 15 questions which addresses each stage of the communication process. A score interpretation was provided and also a detailed interpretation for improving my skills in each area. Based on my score interpretation, I am a capable communicator, but I sometimes experience communication problems. I need to take more time to think about my approach to communication, and focus on receiving messages effectively as much as sending them. The encoding part of the communication process was my weakest area. This showed that I have difficulty creating a clear and well-crafted message which often leads to a communication gap. Communication gaps are frequently caused by misdirected, one-way, poorly time, or badly worded communications. In addition, some gaps result from misunderstanding, misinterpretations, and miscommunications. This part of the test really struck home because often during face-to-face communication with my teams I am unaware of how my communication is breaking up which can result in lack of interest in my teams attention and possibly communicating a message that’s unclear and misunderstood. However the test indicated that my online Communication was clearer and effectively delivered. I often use online communication as a secondary tool because way to often text messages and emails are taken out of context but it seems that this type of communication is more effective. To ensure that I communicate in the clearest, most effective way possible for work and future courses such as business communication and psychology I intend to seek additional training with my least proficient communication skills using the many services that Walden has provided such as The writing center, grammarly and the Walden Student Library. To aid me in my journey of better communication I plan to use the directions and opinions of my professors, classmates and employees. Writing Skills: Writing is a process; as in all processes, there is a beginning, middle, and an end. The attitude in which we take toward writing creatively may cause problems in terms of how other writers’ perceive one’s writing skills. Not knowing what to write or how to write effectively is the start of the writer’s breakdown. In this section of my essay I will explain my need for strengthening the writing skills that I already possess and how I plan to use them to my advantage. Whenever I’m faced with a writing project I become tense and stressed, ever since high school I have always suffered from writers’ block which is the inability to remember or think of something you normally can do. In order to get pass this stumbling block I first have to clear my head of any thoughts that could clutter my writing. It’s very hard to be expected to write clearly without having a clear mind. As my high school English would always say â€Å"Don’t blame the reader if he can’t follow your writing†. It is the writer’s job to convey his meaning to the reader, not the reader’s job to figure out what the writer is trying to express. While I have many strong points to my writing I possess weak areas as well, these areas of improve include introductions and conclusions, my introductions are not supportive enough and sometimes weak for my topics, my conclusions in my opinion are always weak, I think because after writing for so long I run out thing to say or support my topics. My goals for my future courses are to submit the perfect papers and earn all points possible, I plan to take advantage of all the resources that Walden has to offer in aiding my success as a student and professional. Time Management Skills: Time management is very important to academic and overall life success. Learning to manage your time effectively can be a headache for people that are trying to juggle work, school, and family life. For me it seems that there is just not enough time in the day to complete all of my tasks successfully. When it comes to effective time management it is important to possess skills and tools that will fit your personal lifestyle. I find it important to try every angle of time management until you determine which one will be most beneficial to you. In my experience with being a Wife, Mother, and working two fulltime jobs time management is a must have, it will aid in deleting some of the stress brought on by a crazy schedule. Some improvements that I would like to make immediately include goal setting, creating a to-do list and organizing. I am the Queen of procrastination and it is my ultimate down fall even though I am fully aware that for an individual to achieve his or her goals it is important that I develop a plan to carry out that goal, which in turn requires effective time management skills. Effective time management is something that will make or break an individual, not only in the academic setting, but also in life as well. According to an online tool â€Å"Keys to Success† Identifying personal time-related needs and preferences is the first step in developing an individualized time management plan. The best way to achieve this is to make up a schedule that incorporates all necessary aspects of your life. This includes school, family, and work. Prioritizing and time saving methods are also recommended. I plan to utilize the practices provided by Keys to Success and my weekly assignment timelines for success in my future courses, home and work life. References http://www.carterkeys.com http://www.mindtools.com Communication in a Changing World 2006 Edition

Quikr vs Olx Essay

Before you sit down to plan the future of your club’s marketing activities, you need to take stock of where your club is now and why you are there. One useful way to get a clear picture of where your club currently sits is by using a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. By using the SWOT analysis you can identify where your club stands in the market, which provides a useful launch pad for making future marketing plans. Take the time to work through the SWOT process carefully and you will have a clearer idea of: The things your club does well, and the things you need to improve on (strengths and opportunities). †¢ What types of competition exist for your club and which ones can be defended (strengths and threats) †¢ Whether your club needs to change the product itself to protect from outside influences (weaknesses and threats) †¢ Which issues your club needs to make as its priorities (weaknesses and opportunities). Stre ngths When you look at the strengths, concentrate on the club itself and whether it can achieve the outcomes you want. Examples of strengths include: †¢ Strong financial base. †¢ Strong local need for your product, many new members, etc. †¢ Group of skilled volunteers. †¢ Support from local businesses, politicians, etc. †¢ Well-equipped clubhouse. †¢ Committee is well-structured, enthusiastic, capable, etc. Weaknesses Weaknesses often appear as the direct opposite of the strengths listed above and include: †¢ Weak financial base. †¢ Diminishing need or desire for your product, fewer new members, etc. †¢ Few volunteers. †¢ No support from local businesses, politicians, etc. Out of date ill equipped clubhouse. †¢ Committee is poorly structured, overworked, disinterested, etc. Opportunities Opportunities refer to the possibilities of new growth because of the changes in the external environment and can include such things as: †¢ Promotion of sport by government authorities, e. g. renewed ‘Push Play† campaign. †¢ New population of potential users moving into the area, e. g. with children. †¢ Grants by local and national government to encourage sport and recreation. †¢ Organisations looking to sponsor local activities. Seasonal interest in particular sports, e. g cricket in summer, football in winter. †¢ International or national interests the activity your club is involved in, e. g Commonwealth or Olympic Games. †¢ Promotion of your activity to a different age group or gender e. g. lawn bowls to teenagers, rugby to girls. Threats As with strengths and weaknesses, the threats are often very similar to the opportunities. Examples of threats include: †¢ Traditional sponsors of sport and recreation changing the way they spend their sponsorship dollars. Seasonal interest in particular sports or activities which is in direct competition with your own, e. g. competing codes of Rugby. †¢ Promotion of sport to different age groups or gender which competes with your club’s interest e. g. ballet and soccer for girls. †¢ Other interests including television, video games, school activities, part-time work for teenagers, and so on. †¢ Time related issues for example, competition for volunteers time, longer working hours, both parents working – children unable to attend, limited available free time for both children and parents. Other organisations with better facilit ies. †¢ Lack of knowledge and interest in your product. A SWOT Analysis should be drawn up to look like this: |Internal |STRENGTHS |WEAKNESSES | |Factors |Vision : simple and quick |Not having international experience, therefore diversification | |(Things about |Strong funding |might be a problem at later stage. |your club) |Experienced partners: Norwest Venture Partners brings in a lot of |No acquisition till date as a result OLX has surpassed quikr. | | |experience |Employee base is very low: Need to increase the sales force and| | |Horizontal rather than vertical |target other opportunity to increase market share. | |Customer Centric, not just technology centric : Free missed call | | | |Investment in analytics, mobile platforms | | |External |OPPORTUNITIES |THREATS | |Factors |Internet penetration(10%) is bound to increase |Low entry barrier | |(Things |Internet surfing through mobiles has surpassed PC. Competitors have international experience and deep pockets. | |outside of |Mobile base is huge and recently they have introduced a mi ssed call |Zero switching cost. | |your club) |feature. |Intense Competiton | | |Cloud computing (SaaS, PaaS) could be useful in reducing the cost. | | | |Network Effects | | It’s a great idea to draw this up on a whiteboard or large piece of paper and use as a brainstorming base at a committee meeting.

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

Recently we were told by our teacher to pay a visit at our campus on the occasion of a science fair giving each one of us one ticket. Accordingly, I went there and enjoyed a lot. What I saw was a fantastic arrangement of exhibits done by the students. I saw miniatures mostly about agriculture. One of the unique creations was a miniature of Terrace Farming, it is a piece of sloped plane that has been cut into a series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps, for the purposes of more effective farming.As we all know, one of the popular terraces is he Banana Rice Terraces (Haggard-Haggard Palatal). Some of the miniature was describing about Contour Plowing it is plowing across a slope following its elevation contour lines. This is the kind of agricultural solution used by most farmers as a tool for weed control, prevent soil erosion, and in some cases to promote plant growth. There was also a miniature about Interloping meaning growing two different veg etables in an area at the same time to save space. On the other miniature it was about how to farm organically.According to a book that I have read, eating organic odds may in fact, reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer for individuals who abstain from consuming products produced by conventional farming methods. I also saw a miniature about animal farming. Mostly the main products of this Industry are meat, milk and eggs for human consumption. Here's to other miniature about urban Vile which pictures out the setting of an urban place or what we call a city where you can see tall buildings and establishments and a large crowd of people.In the contrary there was a miniature with details of a Rural place where It Is located outside the city with a low population density and small settlements. And lastly, one object drew my attention. It was about family farming. Like In my hometown we have a small farm at the back of our house, and planting Is one of our ways of bonding during weekends. One of the Important features of family farms Is the Intimate connection between families and farms which creates vital links between a farm and the food being grown. I miss home. I spent full 30 minutes rooming around the science fair enjoying such wonderful creations.

Problem and solution essay: Drinking and Driving Essay

People all around the world drink and they also drive. But driving under the influence of alcohol is a very dangerous, risk taking thing to do, not just to the drivers, but to the passengers and pedestrians as well. When people consume alcohol, their normal functioning of the brain impairs, thus increasing the chances of having a fatal accident when chosen to drive. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40% of the car accidents in the year 2002 were alcohol related in US. That is about 17,419 deaths. This meant that in average, every 30 minutes someone was killed in a car accident that was relating alcohol. The legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for drivers at the age of 21 or older is .08 percent. For drivers under the age of 21, the legal limit of BAC is .01 percent. But this does not mean that it is safe to drive when your BAC is .08 percent or even .01 percent. Any amount of of BAC is a risk to drive. Studies show that states or countries with lower BAC limit has far less alcohol related accidents. If you go over the legal limit of BAC, you would get fined large amounts of money to jail time, depending how high the BAC is. Making the BAC limit lower might just prevent the accidents that killed hundreds of innocent people. Drinking alcohol has effect on the brain. First, it will fill cozy, warm and relaxing feeling. Then into judgment impairment, little use of slurred speech, and reason and caution are impaired. After that, there will be increase impairment of judgment, then to slow reflection, and more use of slurred speech. Next memory and comprehension are abnormally functioning, then blurred vision, to vomiting and instability to stand. Finally, if more alcohol are consumed, result unconsciousness, coma and to even death. So not drinking at all would be the best solution as it will be good for your health and not taking any risk of having a fatal accident. But, for people who have to have a drink, people who can’t live with out alcohol, they are prone to consume alcohol and make a decision to drive to their destination or not. This might be hard for some people, but leaving their car and taking an alternative transportation would be the smartest, and also the safest way to get to the destination. It is much more important  to get to the destination with their life then by loosing one’s life or taking a life of another and not get there at all. There are problems that are just incorrigible and there are problems that can be prevented or solved. We should do any means to solve any corrodible problems in any ways. It might save one or it might save thousands of lives. Drinking and driving is making a death wish. It’s not only the drivers that are risking their lives, but they, as in drivers, are risking other lives as well. Not driving when influenced by alcohol might save one’s life and a life of another. Maybe, it might not be a big deal to some people who believe this will not happen to them, are gambling with their lives.

Power Corrupts in Animal Farm

Power is authority and strength, which is any form of motive force or energy, ability to act, or control. When too much power is given, a dictatorship government can form, in which all decisions are made by one authority. In the book Animal Farm, by George Orwell the author portrays how â€Å"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely†. From the death of Old Major, Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer replaced him. At first things started off pretty well; the harvest was very good the first year and the reading and writing system had helped some, but had limited success on others.In time, the leaders of animal farm started to have mixed feelings. Snowball and Napoleon were in constant disagreement. An important meeting that was held ended with an astonishing outcome. One decision that was made was concerning the windmill project and the most important decision made was who would be the head animal. Snowball and Napoleon each gave their input on what needs to be done around the farm. â€Å"Snowball stood up and, though occasionally interrupted by bleating from the sheep, set forth his reasons for advocating the building of the windmill.Then Napoleon stood up to reply. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it†. At this time, Snowball jumped back up to convince the people that it was a good idea to build a windmill. Then Napoleon sent his dogs after snowball and they chased him off the farm. Since Snowball had been expelled, Napoleon took over â€Å"The Manor Farm† which led to food shortage, hard labor, and deaths. He used his knowledge and education to take over the farm.With all the pigs and dogs on his side Napoleon had absolute power. The pigs were the brains of the farm and the dogs were the military force of the farm. Napoleon had complete control over the farm. Napoleon’s power corrupted the whole idea of Animalism & The Seven Commandments, which the farm fi rst started with. The power that the three pigs obtained had corrupted them and, then Napoleon received absolute power, which corrupted the society as a whole. Throughout the story Napoleon’s power continually increases, but he’s never quite satisfied.Napoleon is always greedy for more power. Napoleon's standards are that he must have complete power and rule over everyone, though he becomes corrupt because he gains absolute power over everyone on the farm. Stalin loses power because he is always hungry for more power, and is never satisfied with the power that he has. As Stalin dies Russia is completely corrupt because the power was not evenly distributed, and the citizens did not count as people. No power is given to the people under Stalin’s rule.Only him, and a few other privileged individuals live with power and respect in the community. In conclusion, history has proven that power is the root of all evil in a communism style government or congregation. In A nimal Farm, the animals tried to be equal, but in time, some animals had certain views and different opinions and some gradually became more powerful. No matter how hard in society we try, equality will never truly be reached by mankind for the reason that  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely† (Lord Acton).

Rousseau, Marx, and the Critique of Classical Liberalism Essay

Rousseau, Marx, and the Critique of Classical Liberalism - Essay Example This name reflects the fact that it comes from the integrity of the people (nation, class), the presence of single will before the act of its public expression, and identity of the will and actions of the authorities. Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Karl Marx are the most prominent representatives of this theory of democracy. Rousseau’s Political Philosophy Idealizing the natural state, a kind of â€Å"golden age,† Rousseau believed that the civil state must guarantee the recovery of natural equality of man in the form established by the contract freedoms. Rousseau is considered the father of the classical theory of democracy, since he introduced the idea of popular sovereignty. By creating a state, people do not put themselves under the authority of the sovereign, but become the bearers of the supreme power. Considering the sovereignty of the people as indivisible, he opposed the division of sovereignty between any of the bodies. The legislature cannot be transferred to parl iament, and must be carried out directly by the people. All laws are created by the common will of the people. Rousseau’s criticism of liberalism manifested itself most profoundly in the interpretation of the equality problem. Rousseau distinguishes between legal equality—or formal equality—and de facto equality. ... And it would be unfair, according to ideologues of liberalism, if a fool and a wise man were equal. Rousseau, for all his â€Å"naturalism†, argues differently. By nature, he says, all people are equal. This does not mean that the strong and the weak are equal in strength. In physical strength they are not equal. But they are equal in the right to live. And if this equality is recognized, the strong will help the weak to survive. And then the weak will feel equally strong. But the strong can hurt the weak. And he can take advantage of the weakness of another person in order to subjugate him, to make him work in order to get rich, etc. Similarly, a stupid person can be treated in different ways: one can sympathize with his stupidity, but one can take advantage of his stupidity to deceive him for one’s own selfish purposes. According to Rousseau, natural inequality is compounded by the inequality in the social conditions of life. And the actual inequality of men is manife sted primarily in the inequality of social conditions. That is why humanism in modern society should create equal conditions for healthy people and the most hopeless people with disabilities. Though it could be possible, with reference to their â€Å"inferiority†, simply to reject physically defective people, or enclose them in special reservations. Modern society has become so rich that it can afford to be humane. At the time of Rousseau, it was not so rich. Rousseau proclaimed the need for the actual equality of all people in the society, which was still very far from the economic state when equality could be achieved. Rousseau can be accused of utopianism. But without such utopians

Pharmacology case studies Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pharmacology studies - Case Study Example It busulfan falls in the categories of immunosuppressive Agents, Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating agents and Myeloablative Agents. It works by interupting replication of DNA and transcription of RNA ultimately causing disruption in the nucleic acid functions. In the end it induces irreversible apoptosis and therefore disrupts the spread of cancerous cells. Busulfan is used therapeutically in synergy with cyclophosphamide to produce a conditioning course of therapy before progenitor cell transplant protocols in Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia. The drug is also used widely in the used as part of the pre-transplant preparations for those patients requiring bone marrow transplants for advanced Myeloid LeuKaemia as well as other conditions that are non-malignant. This is therefore a very important chemotherapeutic agent in the management of Myeloid Leukaemia and other non-malignant cancers due its apoptosis causing effects on target cancerous cells. The drug is in three forms i.e. 2mg tablets; 25 mg capsules a liquid injection. Delivery of the drug is therefore possible through the oral and intravenous routes. When used in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid leukaemia, the drug should be given as follows; the patient should first be pre-medicated with anti-convulsion drugs followed by an initial busulfan dose of 60 mcg/kg/day or 1.8 mg/m ²; 4-8 mg PO qDay. Maintenance doses should be given subsequently at 1-4 mg/day to 2 mg/week PO. The patient is closely monitored and once the white blood cell count is 50,000/mcl the initial dosage should be resumed. When given in combination with cyclophosphamide, an intravenous dose of 0.8 mg/kg at intervals of 6 hours for four days until WBC count reaches 15,000/mm3. When preparing an intravenous injection dose the preferred diluents are NS or and D5W. It should be prepared with diluents volume being 10 times that of busulfan until the desirable concentration of >0.5 mg/ml is attained. The preparation is then prepared through

Cultural Event Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Event Report - Essay Example The museum is located on 5th avenue in Manhattan, New York. We visited the museum on 1st October 2011 during the morning hour period. On arrival to the museum, I was immediately perplexed and remained rooted to a beautiful statue by the of the entrance, which could only have been made by non other than Michelangelo. The statue was of King David with the right hand holding the thigh and the left hand touching his shoulder. Even Monica who does not easily get excited was awash with a big smile on her face not believing that a fellow human being could have done such a statue. The most beautiful site we visited was the Temple of Dendur located in Sackler wing of the museum. We learnt that the magnificent artifact was built during the Roman Period in the days of Augustus Caesar and transferred from Egypt to the United States in 1965. Two years later, it was given to The Metropolitan Museum of Arts. At the base of the temple are papyrus carvings that look like they are growing from waters. The image of the sun can be seen from the top of the gates. On the way in, are images of the vultures with their wings spread out making the scene totally scintillating that left us simply amazed. The image of the king offering sacrifices and holding scepters is seen between the walls that separate the sky from the earth. The gods Isis and Osiris are crowned and with some writings by their figures. The believe within the temple of Dendur is that if a couple make love there, they will never part ways until death. This was good news for Monica and I since we have marriage p lans in the future but that was saved for another visit. We also visited the section where American art collections are stored. The most exciting scene was that of George Washington and his soldiers crossing the Delaware. Being a passionate lover of Africa, we could not leave the museum without visiting the African Art site, and I must say,

Social Constructionism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Social Constructionism - Research Paper Example It is strongly argued that social constructionism is directly responsible for the â€Å"critical† status given to modern social psychology. Gough & McFadden site four main fundamental ideals within social constructionism, which may also be applied to critical social psychology. First of all, the individual is always (and already) existent and located within society. Secondly, the individual is always situated within systems of difference and inequality within society to some extent. Thirdly, power within society is frequently associated with language and presentation. Finally, research should aim to challenge oppression and promote social change. Gough and McFadden believe that ‘the first and crucial point to make is that social constructionism represents a ‘turn to language’ in social theory.’ Therefore the representation, meaning and interpretation of events are what form the key elements comprising the social constructionists agenda whilst simultan eously providing a basis for critical social psychology. Since the introduction of the social constructionist theory, the main attention of critical social psychology has become focussed upon breaking down and studying differing accounts of everyday social activity.Social learning suggests that aggression is something that is learned and acquired by the self through direct experience or simply by observing the behaviour of others (modelling). Using these methods, the self assimilates the ability to seek appropriate occasions to exercise this particular character trait.

Final Assessment of Apple Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final Assessment of Apple Inc - Essay Example During critical analysis of its vision and mission statement, examination of Apple’s compliance to business ethics was also performed. Overall outcome of this analysis elaborates that Apple has made innovation and simplicity a foundation of not only its products, but its organizational philosophy as well. Effects of Globalization & Organizational Culture on Employee Selection and Training Apple is an ideal case study for understanding globalization in terms of business model and related processes. With workforce and supply chain scattered all around the globe and access to every part of global mobile and electronic gadgets market, Apple has managed to emerge as a market leader in mobile appliances and related applications. In addition to that, Apple’s organizational culture further supports its global business model and extended market access. ... Globalization has further strengthened the foundation of this culture. As a result of globalized model, Apple has introduced strategies like ethical partnership with the suppliers and home-based jobs for students and other professionals in order to avail opportunities offered by global business model. As far as employee selection is concerned, Apple uses market competitive strategies to attract and retain talent but only recruit employees that are not only job fit but an organization fit as well. As far as training methods employed are concerned, its leadership uses a simple regime of Tell, Show and Do. Employees undergo on-job as well as academic trainings for enhancing their skill inventory and using them accordingly. On the other hand, as an ethical organization, Apple has also introduced educational programs, i.e. graduation, associate and bachelors for employees working for its suppliers. Training its own workforce and suppliers’ employees is influenced by its philosophy that says, â€Å"When people gain new skills and knowledge, they can improve their lives (Apple, 2012a).† Apple’s Vision and Mission Statement Apple’s vision is based on an optimistic ideology of being a market leader in technology and communication devices. It has managed to offer products that cover every aspect of technology usage and allows the consumer to have an impeccable experience with its products becoming an integral part of customer’s life style. Beginning from MacBooks to iPhones and iPads, Apple has attempted to amalgamate convenience, functionality and style in a single gadget. Furthermore, its commitment to have a motivated workforce and supply chain is another area that provides participatory direction to its

BUSINESS STRATEGY Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

BUSINESS STRATEGY - Coursework Example Currently, it has market shares in UK stock exchange with the name Tesco. This report provides an insight into the Tesco Company through the use of BCG matrix to know the current strategies of the company. The United Kingdom is currently a global business centre consisting of different races from all over the world. Due to the increased population, Tesco fulfils their demands by importing goods that are not available in the UK from other European countries. As a multinational company, Tesco has developed many supplier management mechanics so as to survey key suppliers and the satisfaction of the franchisee. After a close internal analysis of the Tesco Company, it is observed that, goods importation is one of the Tesco’s imperative strengths as they are motivated by the allegory, â€Å"Pile it high and sell it cheap.† Tesco has a very good and established customer relation that never lets its brand down. The spectacular development of this Company is based on its ability to offer its customers various incentives through promotions. The efficiency of its products has greatly been developed by the product and development department, thus creating the desired customer relationship and satisfaction. Notably, much of the company’s success has been based on its customer loyalty. Therefore, Tesco has a strategy to develop its business by setting its focus to improving its relationship with the consumers by proving them with credit card loans, insurance policies and saving schemes. Brand Image Strategy is one of the systematic plans of action that has vehemently propelled the development of Tesco Company. The company achieves this by using their own name in selling their quality products at relatively cheaper prices. Its reputation is not only growing because of the cheaper products, but also because of its own products (Lamb, Hair,& McDaniel 2008, p.34). Tesco targets lower income earners by

Thermodynamics and fluids mechanics Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Thermodynamics and fluids mechanics - Lab Report Example The corresponding force F, can be found by taking the moment about the pivot of the jockey. The distance y, is the position of the jockey. Momentum was found by multiplying Mass Flow Rate by the Velocity of the vane. As before, the corresponding force F, was found by taking the moment about the pivot of the jockey. The distance y, represents the position of the jockey. Similarly, Momentum = Mass Flow Rate multiplied by the Velocity of the vane. As before, the corresponding force F, was found by taking the moment about the pivot of the jockey. The distance y, represent the position of the jockey. Similarly, Momentum = Mass Flow Rate multiplied by the Velocity of the vane The only difference that is evident is only in the use of characters, otherwise, the formulas are just the same. U in the theory equation represents initial velocity just like the v in the experimental equation. While a represents the acceleration force (gravitational force) and s the distance covered (Cengel & Cimbala, 2009). The major difference between the theory and experiment performed is on the values obtained. For example, some values were not consistent as expected and while plotting the graph, the points were expected to be in a straight line, which was not the case. A line of best fit was drawn in order make the line straight. Inaccuracy of the graph and wrong data manipulation were due to some sources. The sources of errors could have been due to incorrect timing. When determining the time interval, it could have been difficult to determine the correct interval. Another source could have been due to the incorrect measurement of volume of water collected. This could have brought wrong Mass Flow Rate hence giving wrong Momentum. For the case of hemispherical vane, the velocity of the water jet leaving the vane was the same as that hitting it. From the data of the first trial, the velocity leaving was found to be

Separation of Commercial Banks and Investment Banks Essay Example for Free

Separation of Commercial Banks and Investment Banks Essay One of the key concerns growing out of the debate on whether to separate or merge retail banking and wholesale/investment banking activities has been the stability of a nation’s banking system. The experience of the US banking system has suggested that merge of commercial and investment banks is a better approach to achieving stability. After the global financial crisis, the American economy went into recession. The policy priority of American government was then to intervene into its banking system so as to mitigate the impact of the crisis. One advantage of the merger of banks is that it can improve the overall condition of the economy (Khan, 2012). The merger of banks unites small and weak unit banks which will then be able to provide diverse services and with time, to reduce costs and gain competitiveness and efficiency. As will be argued below, contrary to the view that the merge of banks was responsible for the financial crisis in 2008 and Great Depression in 1930s, universal banks constitute one of the key solutions to the underlying cause of the financial turmoil in history. First of all, in 1930s, the Great Depression in America triggered considerable debates on the primary cause of the stock market crash. Analysts in favour of separation of banks have observed that the fundamental reason was the â€Å"overproduction of securities† resulted from the combination of commercial and investment banks (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). Until 1902s, national banks had no authority to issue securities. However, â€Å"the Civil War had been an explosion of new securities issued to finance railroads leading to the western Unit States and the expansion in public fields† (Hendrickson, 2012). Many state-chartered banks captured this chance and were involved in securities underwriting. Historical data has shown that compared to a number of merely 205 banks engaging in securities underwriting in 1922, there were approximately 5 times more national banks that were involved in securities underwriting in 1926 (Hendrickson, 2012). This sharp increase in securities underwriting resulted in deterioration of the quality of new securities and the â€Å"overproduction of securities†. To the contrary, others have opposed the separation of banks, arguing that the Great Depression actually had much to do with small local â€Å"unit† banks which constituted the fatal weakness in the banking system (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). This argument, therefore, suggests that the cause of the Great Depression was not the merger of commercial and investment banks but the separation of banks. Accordingly, they have pointed out that the increasing number of small banks as a result of the separation of banks could exacerbate the vulnerability of the financial system (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). The enactment of the Glass-Steagall Act in 1930s seems to provide an indication that the views in support of the separation of banks had prevailed over those in favour of the merger of banks. However, it is submitted that the Glass-Steagall Act had failed to solve the underlying problem of the US financial system. For instance, in 1980s, despite the operation of the Act, a third of small specialist financial institutions failed during the saving and loan (SL) crisis (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). This indicates that the statutory requirement of bank separation is not the right solution to the underlying problems in the US financial system. Secondly, the merger of banks has the advantage of helping small banks to become more competitive in the market because merged banks are able to provide broader and cheaper services than small specialist financial institutions, and consequently, to achieve reduction of operating costs and increase in revenue (Krainer, 2000). However, proponents of the Glass-Steagall Act have maintained that the merger of banks could generate two critical problems – â€Å"conflict of interests† and â€Å"too big to fail† – which, in their view, were responsible for the Great Depression in 1930s and the financial crisis in 2007 (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). In our opinion, the fact that the Glass-Steagall Act was repealed in 1980 indicates that the need for statutory permission of the merger of banks in the US had prevailed over concerns about the problems associated with the merger of banks. This further suggests that since the Glass-Steagall Act had failed to address the underlying cause of the Great Depression which was the fragility of small financial institutions, the repeal of the Act and permission of bank merger seemed to have been considered to be the way toward the establishment of a healthy and strong financial system in the US. Therefore, despite these problems that might arise from the merger of banks, the permission of bank merger has been regarded as a better approach to achieving financial system stability than the statutory requirement of eparation of banks. Thirdly, another argument for separation concerns the moral hazard issue that may arise from universal banks. According to this argument, the merger of banks may be likely to create incentives for banks to make irresponsible investment decisions at the risk of depositors and investors due to the expectation of universal banks that governments will protect them from failure (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). However, it can be argued that this issue is not attributable to government policies on bank merger or bank separation but to those which bail out banks at the verge of bankruptcy. In other words, such a moral hazard issue may arise not only in the case of bank merger but also in the case of bank separation as long as governments choose to compensate banks for their damages resulted from irresponsible investment decisions. Therefore, the key to solving this moral hazard issue is not to turn a policy in favor of bank merger into a policy in favor of bank separation; rather, it is for the governments to cease to provide bail-out for irresponsible banks so as to prevent them from making investment decisions that are harmful to the entire financial system. Indeed, the merger of banks may give rise to problems. However, it is suggested that these problems can be tackled by stricter government policies. For instance, the excessive involvement of banks in the production of securities may give rise to conflict of interests, an issue concerning the possibility of banks selling securities to customers without disclosing their own interest in such transactions (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). This potential problem can be avoided by government regulations such as the Securities Act 1933 which provided for rules of disclosure on securities offerings and established the Securities Exchange Commission to enforce them (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). Moreover, the moral hazard issue may also be addressed by government regulations of the financial market such as by requirements that banks must retain sufficient capital on account to compensate for losses and liabilities. The examples above demonstrate that government interventions in the banking system may effectively solve these anticipated problems of bank merger. In short, compared to bank separation, bank merger provides a better approach to fostering a stable and healthy financial system which is essential for the economic recovery of the US (Casserley, Harle, and Macdonald, 2011). Although the merger of banks has its own disadvantages, these disadvantages are not the root causes of the 1930 financial crisis and can be remedied by stricter government regulations. Therefore, it is suggested that while universal banks should be duly regulated, they are more capable to withstand financial turmoil than small banks, thereby making the merge of banks a better government policy than the separation of banks.